Policy in the Pasture

Aaron Halydier is an eighth-generation Texan whose passion for agriculture began in childhood. During high school, he immersed himself in every facet of agriculture he could -working with horses, cattle, sheep, goats, forestry, hay, and poultry. That early exposure inspired him to pursue collegiate livestock judging and earn a Bachelor’s degree in Animal Science with a minor in Range and Wildlife Management from Angelo State University. Aaron launched a business in solar grazing, blending innovation with agricultural stewardship. This entrepreneurial experience led him to join Soilworks, where he deepened his commitment to regenerative agriculture. Today, Aaron works in mergers and acquisitions, specializing in identifying and structuring investments that empower producers by making regenerative practices more profitable and scalable. Together with his wife and two children, Aaron raises Dorpers south of San Antonio using an intensive rotational grazing system. He is deeply committed to supporting fellow producers-his favorite part of the day is connecting with producers to share insights, collaborate, and champion the industry's future.

McKenna Bush serves as the Youth Outreach Coordinator in the Organization Division. She joined Texas Farm Bureau in November 2021. In this role, Bush is responsible for the development, organization, oversight and execution of all activities involving TFB youth outreach and collegiate programs. That includes the Clover Cash Grant Program, Student Success Series, scholarships, Speak Out For Agriculture (SOFA) Challenge, AgVentures Challenge: Pitch It, Market It, Sell It Contest, and Collegiate Farm Bureau programs. Prior to joining TFB, Bush was the graduate assistant for the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications at Texas A&M University in College Station. She also held a variety of student and entry-level positions with Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, U.S. House Committee on Agriculture, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Texas A&M College of Engineering throughout her collegiate career. She earned her undergraduate degree from Texas A&M in Agricultural Communications and Journalism and Agricultural Leadership and Development. In the summer of 2022, she earned her master’s degree in Agricultural Leadership, Education, and Communications with an emphasis in curriculum development and instructional design also from Texas A&M. Bush received numerous awards through Texas FFA while in high school, including her American FFA Degree and recently her Texas FFA Honorary Lone Star Degree. She held several leadership positions at the chapter and district level. She was a member of the 2015 class of Ford Leadership Scholars and currently serves on the selection committee and as a mentor for the program. She resides in Waco

Lisa Castillo is a 2013 graduate of Sam Houston State University and owner of Castillo Cattle Company along with her husband, Nicho. They are beef and dairy farmers in Normangee, TX. They have a Private Ministerial Association (PMA) which allows them to sell directly to members. They sell any product from their farm including beef and raw dairy products legally through their PMA. They have classes at their farm about canning, dairy, and regenerative farming. They aim to help locals learn to produce the same great quality foods they love and they help supply their community with quality food too. They want farmers to know more about PMAs and understand it to be another way to benefit their operation.

James is a seasoned rancher and innovative leader in agricultural technology, currently serving as Senior Vice President of Grass and Rangeland at EarthOptics. In this role, he empowers ranchers by introducing cutting-edge technology that maps and quantifies soil health and carbon capture capabilities, enabling informed land management decisions and new revenue opportunities. With nearly 400 years of combined family ranching experience—including iconic operations like Beggs Cattle Co. (est. 1876) and King Ranch (est. 1853)—James is deeply rooted in the ranching tradition. He founded Bloody Buckets Cattle Co. and The Land Board, managing initiatives in livestock, resource management, wildlife conservation, governance, and succession planning. Before joining EarthOptics, James spent a decade at King Ranch, Inc., where he excelled as Land Resources Manager and Horse Division Manager. Under his leadership, the ranch won the prestigious 2019 AQHA Best Remuda Award, bred its first ranch-raised World Champion, CORONEL DEL RANCHO, and revitalized the commercial sales and marketing efforts of the horse program. In addition to his agricultural pursuits, James is a dedicated Marine Corps infantry officer, with service spanning both active and reserve components since 2008. His deployments include Afghanistan, Chile, and Mexico, as well as leading a refugee camp that successfully transitioned 3,000 Afghans to U.S. citizenship during Operation Allies Welcome. Throughout his career, he has trained and led over 3,500 American and foreign troops. James serves on the boards of several organizations, including Frontiers Market, Beggs Cattle Company, the National Ranching Heritage Center, the American Quarter Horse Association, and the King Ranch Institute for Ranch Management. He is also a director and Chair of the Resources and Wildlife Committee for the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. A graduate of Goucher College with an MBA from Cornell University, James lives in South Texas with his wife, Paige Shaw, MSN RN, and their children, where they raise cattle and horses on their family ranch.

Andy Wier is the Executive Director of the Simsboro Aquifer Water Defense Fund (SAWDF), a non-profit organization in Central Texas dedicated to protecting the region’s groundwater resources of the Carrizo-Wilcox Aquifer. Under his leadership, SAWDF works with landowners, businesses, and government entities to safeguard fair and sustainable access to groundwater, ensuring the long-term availability of this critical resource. A Bastrop County native, Andy has a deep personal connection to the land and water of the region. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Radio and Television from the University of Texas at Austin and later enjoyed a successful career in state service. Upon retirement, his passion for science and conservation led him to become a citizen scientist with a focus on hydrology and groundwater issues. Andy has since immersed himself in the complex and ever-evolving world of Texas water policy. He actively participates in board meetings of area Groundwater Conservation Districts, contributes to regional planning groups responsible for developing the State Water Plan, and is a member of the Texas Water Conservation Association. He is also a frequent voice at the Texas Legislature, where he testifies on issues related to groundwater management and conservation.

Peyton Schumann grew up on a ranch in Novice, Texas where his father, Rodney Schumann, trained cutting horses and managed a cow-calf operation. Today, his family operates a successful stocker operation. A proud graduate of Coleman High School and Texas Tech University, Peyton began his career in Austin, working for the Texas Senate as an Assistant Committee Clerk. He further honed his expertise as a Public/Digital Engagement Coordinator for Texans for Greg Abbott, Director of Government Relations for the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, and most recently, as a Government Relations Specialist at the Texas General Land Office under Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D. He now serves as the Senior Director of Government Relations for TSCRA. Peyton and his wife, Jordan, welcomed a baby boy, Emmett Paul Schumann, on July 9, 2024. The Schumanns love escaping the city to spend time at the ranch, where they enjoy the outdoors with their two Dachshunds, Denver and Woodrow.

Austin Brown III is a fourth-generation rancher in South Texas. Traditionally a registered Hereford operation, Austin was born and raised on the family ranch in Bee County. After graduating from Texas A&M University in 1993 and marrying in 1994, he and his wife Jody, also a Texas A&M graduate, moved to West Texas and managed several ranches. They returned to Bee County in 1998 and implemented a custom backgrounding and growing yard to the ranch that they would later name Landair Inc. In 1999 they welcomed their first child and son Austin Brown IV (Cuatro) and their daughter Addie Ruth Brown in 2003. Currently, Brown Land & Cattle runs Beefmaster and Red Angus cows with Akaushi bulls. They also run a custom bull and heifer development program where they grow registered Beefmaster bulls, heifers, registered Charolais, and Santa Gertrudis bulls for customers all across the nation. Austin is also heavily involved with several Beef Industry associations such as the Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association, National Cattleman’s Beef Association, and is a past Chairman of Texas Beef Council. He is a professional voice for the Beef Industry and is passionate about being knowledgeable and involved in policy and how it affects our great industry.

Tyler Schuster is a fifth-generation rancher from Brackettville, Texas. A graduate of Tarleton State University and Texas A&M University, Schuster currently serves as the assistant director of development for Davis College at Texas Tech University. Prior to this role, Schuster served as the Manager of Leadership Development for Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association (TSCRA) based in Fort Worth, Texas. In this role, Schuster leads all organizational efforts to prepare and educate the next generation of cattle raisers. In 2022, Schuster's signature TSCRA project launched: a youth program that allows the next generation of ag producers the opportunity to develop a stronger understanding of the cattle industry and its processes "from pasture to plate". When not traveling the Lone Star State, Schuster can be found working alongside her mom on her family's ranch or recording new episodes of her podcast, Basically Famous. Basically Famous arose out of Schuster's desire to showcase stories of people, women in particular, in the western and agriculture industries.

Emma and Addie discuss from a "then vs. now" perspective, the advancements and improvements that the Agriculture Industry has seen. They cover production practices from the 1800s to more modern-day approaches.

Addie and Emma discuss direct-to-consumer beef sales and marketing and the importance of being truthful toward the consumer.

Emma and Addie answer more of listeners questions.

In this epsiode, Emma and Addie answer questions sent in by listeners!

Addie and Emma discuss issues that directly affect our farmers and ranchers and the success of their operations for future generations. Why is it harder for the next generation to return to the farm or ranch? They converse about these topics in this episode!

Addie shares what she learned at the TSCRA Convention

Addie and Emma talk about how college students can get involved or stay involved in the Ag Industry while being full-time students. They offer some tips and resources that have helped them from personal experience.

Emma and Addie share a different perspective about the "support women in agriculture" movement.

Emma and Addie discuss how wanting to be a successful advocator and spokesman for Agriculture can sometimes come with pressure and how you can take that pressure and turn it into your driving force.

Emma and Addie discuss the "big picture" about policy and the fight being fought for our farmers and ranchers in our state and nation's capitol.

In this episode, Addie and Emma discuss and share their background in agriculture, how that path ultimately led them to where they are today, and how that shaped what they want to do "when they grow up".

Welcome to the Policy in the Pasture! Policy in the Pasture is a podcast where the hosts Emma Smith and Addie Brown sit down and talk about all things cattle, ranching, agriculture, policy, and advocacy.